Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 353 - Going Somewhere (Two in One Chapter)

Chen Suya walked into the imperial study.

At that moment, Emperor Wu was seated on the soft divan in the study, calmly reading through memorials.

“Chen Suya greets Your Majesty,” Chen Suya said, her hands resting lightly in front of her as she bowed slightly.

Emperor Wu looked up at the woman before him and smiled. “As a cultivator in the Upper Five Realms, there’s no need for you to be so formal with me, is there?”

Chen Suya smiled gently and shook her head. “Your Majesty, you’re mistaken. So what if I am a cultivator in the Upper Five Realms? Haven’t quite a few of them already perished at the hands of the Wu Kingdom?”

The emperor chuckled. “Not many, actually. Upper Five Realms cultivators aren’t like stray cats or dogs that can be killed at will. On the contrary, it’s extremely difficult to kill them. If they choose not to fight and focus solely on fleeing, very few people can actually take them down.

“Thankfully, there are a few Upper Five Realms cultivators stationed in my palace. Otherwise, who knows when my head might’ve been claimed by one of you cultivators?”

Chen Suya remained composed, her face showing only a polite smile. “Your Majesty is truly modest. In this world, who could possibly enter this palace and harm you?”

“There are plenty who could harm me—not just cultivators, but court officials, feudal lords, or even a lone warrior. All of them probably dream of storming the palace and killing me with a single punch.”

“Enough of this useless talk,” Emperor Wu said with a wave of his hand. “I assume you didn’t come here just to chat. What brings you to see me, Madam?”

Chen Suya’s expression didn’t change as she got straight to the point. “Not long ago, the child came to see me. He told me about the terms and cooperation Your Majesty proposed.”

“Oh?” Emperor Wu raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely interested. “And? Has Madam agreed or not?”

Chen Suya’s lips curved into a soft, warm smile. “Of course, I’ve agreed. After all, the terms Your Majesty offered are so generous, and the price I have to pay is so small. Why wouldn’t I agree? If I refused even this, I’d truly be showing a lack of discernment.”

The emperor chuckled. “In that case, I must thank you on behalf of ‘Madam Xu.'”

Chen Suya bowed her head slightly. “Your Majesty is too kind. To be honest, that child always misjudges me, as if he sees me as some sort of villain.”

“That’s only natural,” the emperor replied. “Xu Ming is someone deeply attached to his emotions, and that’s exactly why I appreciate him.”

Chen Suya merely laughed lightly, saying nothing further.

“But I do have a question for Madam Chen,” Emperor Wu said, his tone shifting slightly.

Chen Suya nodded. “Your Majesty need not be so formal. Please, speak freely.”

“Since you’ve said so, I’ll be direct,” the emperor said, his eyes locking onto hers with a faintly somber undertone. “If I’m not mistaken, Madam Chen, you’ve been waiting for me to approach you for this cooperation, haven’t you?”

Madam Chen blinked her bright eyes, her expression calm yet tinged with a trace of puzzlement. “Why does Your Majesty say so?”

The emperor chuckled softly. “It’s simple. When you appeared at that village on the outskirts of Wudu, it wasn’t a coincidence—you made a deliberate choice to be there.

“When you awakened this time, you didn’t harm anyone. In fact, you could’ve quietly devoured the other personality within you, but you chose not to.

“Could it be that Madam Chen is simply too kind-hearted?

“I doubt a cultivator would be so sentimental.

“This indicates that you wanted to leave a way out for yourself. In truth, perhaps you had already envisioned cooperation between the Wu Kingdom and Canglan Sect in your heart.

“However, I truly didn’t expect you’d be willing to sacrifice so much—marrying an ordinary man and even bearing a child.”

Chen Suya shook her head, her expression carrying a hint of helplessness. “What choice do I have? If I don’t hide myself, I’ll eventually be discovered by those people. When that happens, I won’t even be able to protect myself—what’s the point of talking about anything else?

“But Your Majesty, you might be overthinking. I’m not like that old man from Tianji City, capable of calculating everything with such divine precision.

“I only want to survive, nothing more.

“After I sealed my own memories, I became a completely new ‘me.’ As for what that ‘me’ might do, how could I possibly know? Let alone foresee things to this extent.

“So, the fact that I’m here today, the fact that I might cooperate with Your Majesty, is all purely coincidental.

“That said, I must admit I’ve raised a fine son.”

Emperor Wu studied Chen Suya intently, and Chen Suya did not shy away from his gaze.

“Hahaha!” After a moment, the emperor burst into laughter. “My apologies, my apologies. I have a habit of overcomplicating things in my mind. If my words earlier were offensive, I ask for your forgiveness.”

Chen Suya’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Your Majesty hasn’t said anything inappropriate—what’s there to forgive?

“Besides, whether this is a scheme, or whether it’s all part of some calculation on my part, it doesn’t matter, does it? After all, this arrangement benefits both of us, doesn’t it?”

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The emperor nodded. “That’s true. Since we’ve reached an agreement, shall we finalize the contract?”

“Naturally,” Chen Suya replied. “That’s why I came to see Your Majesty—to formalize this agreement. To be honest, I was worried Your Majesty might change your mind. After all, Canglan Sect has nothing left now, just a few remnants of a broken power. Meanwhile, Wu Kingdom is thriving. If Your Majesty were to look down on us, there wouldn’t be much we could do.”

“Madam Chen, you’re being far too modest,” Emperor Wu said with a smile. “I believe in you. Even though Canglan Sect has suffered a blow, its strength is still formidable, and I’m certain it will one day regain its former glory.

“Moreover, even if Canglan Sect’s influence were minimal, I’d still cooperate with you. That’s because I see great promise in Xu Ming. What concerns him is my concern.”

“That Ming’er has earned Your Majesty’s favor is his great fortune,” Chen Suya said, bowing slightly. “On his behalf, I thank Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need to be so formal.”

Though their words were cordial and their smiles genuine, both of them were acutely aware of the truth.

For Emperor Wu, Xu Ming was indeed part of the equation, but more importantly, Canglan Sect’s strength was far from insignificant.

And though Chen Suya spoke of coincidence, whether her actions were part of a carefully laid plan or not remained uncertain.

But none of that mattered now. Regardless of the truth, they were in the same boat.

The emperor picked up the Imperial Jade Seal from his desk.

With a light toss, the seal floated between the two of them.

Extending his hand, the emperor touched the seal with his finger. A stream of golden dragon energy flowed into it, causing the seal to emit a brilliant golden light.

Under the illumination of this light, a golden, intangible piece of paper materialized between them.

The emperor moved his fingers like a brush, inscribing word after word onto the golden parchment.

With the final stroke complete, the once blank golden parchment was now entirely filled with writing.

“Madam Chen, please take a look and see if it meets your approval,” Emperor Wu said to Chen Suya.

Chen Suya carefully examined the terms of the contract.

She understood that this was a contract backed by the fate of Wu Kingdom itself. Once signed, she would have to abide by its terms. Otherwise, even a cultivator at the Ascension Realm would not be able to withstand the backlash from one of the Ten Great Human Dynasties.

“No problem,” Chen Suya said with a smile.

“Good!” Emperor Wu nodded. “Then let it be so.”

The emperor pricked his finger and let a drop of his blood fall onto the contract.

Chen Suya did the same.

As the contract absorbed their blood, it burst into specks of spiritual light, dissipating into the air.

With that, the contract was sealed.

If Emperor Wu were to betray the contract, Wu Kingdom would suffer a degree of backlash from the Heavenly Dao.

If Chen Suya were to betray the contract, she would face the same.

For both Emperor Wu and Chen Suya, the consequences of breaking the agreement were unbearable.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” Chen Suya said with a smile.

“Very well,” Emperor Wu nodded.

Chen Suya gave a slight bow, then turned and left.

At the entrance to the imperial study, Xu Ming was still waiting.

“Let’s go. We’re going home,” Chen Suya said to him.

Xu Ming bowed to Wei Xun, who was guarding the door, before following his mother out of the palace.

“You can relax now,” Chen Suya said with a smile, looking at her son. “I’ve already signed the contract with Emperor Wu.”

“Did the emperor say anything to you?” Xu Ming asked.

Chen Suya’s eyes curved into a smile. “Oh, are you concerned about me?”

Xu Ming sneered. “If that’s what you think, then you’re overthinking it. Even if I were concerned, it wouldn’t be about you.”

“My child, you always say such hurtful things to me,” Chen Suya sighed. “But it’s alright—your mother still forgives you. After all, you’re my own flesh and blood.”

Chen Suya shook her head lightly before continuing, “The emperor didn’t say much—just the terms of the cooperation. Though he did try to probe me a bit, your mother isn’t so easily outwitted.”

“Anyway, there’s no need for you to worry about these things. Adult matters aren’t for children to meddle in.” She reached out and dusted off Xu Ming’s shoulder. “I’ll be taking some time to rest for a while. During this period, the other me will spend time with you, though it won’t be for long. Soon, I’ll be heading to the Northern Wastelands.”

“I know what you’re thinking—you want to go with me to the Northern Wastelands, don’t you? But that’s not an option.” She tapped Xu Ming’s forehead with her finger. “As I said, adult matters aren’t for children to involve themselves in.”

Xu Ming: “…”

After returning to the Xu residence, Chen Suya mentioned that she was feeling tired and went to her room to rest.

Xu Ming, knowing he wouldn’t be able to get anything out of her, returned to his courtyard to check on Shi Xin.

When Xu Ming arrived, Shi Xin had already risen from her bed and was meditating, reciting Buddhist scriptures.

Xu Ming didn’t disturb her. Instead, he sat beside her, quietly listening to the rhythmic chants.

Though he couldn’t understand a word of the scriptures, he found himself gradually feeling at peace.

Before long, Xu Ming began contemplating the meaning of life. Of course, he didn’t arrive at any answers.

After some time, Shi Xin slowly opened her eyes, blinking as she looked at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming looked into the girl’s clear eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “In the past, my mother took me to the Buddhist temples in Wu Capital. The monks at Qingshui Temple there also chanted these same scriptures.

“But somehow, even though you’re chanting the same words, it feels… different coming from you.”

Shi Xin tilted her head slightly. “Different how?”

Xu Ming chuckled. “I can’t really say. It’s just that when you chant, it seems to calm my heart more.”

Shi Xin said thoughtfully, “Then how about I chant it a few more times for you?”

“No need, I think I’ve had enough for now.” Xu Ming poured a cup of tea for Shi Xin and pushed it gently toward her.

Shi Xin reached out, took the tea, and sipped it lightly.

“How is Madam Xu doing?” Shi Xin asked.

“She seems to be doing alright,” Xu Ming replied after a moment of thought. “How should I put it? According to Emperor Wu’s investigation, it turns out my mother’s other personality is actually someone from the Canglan Sect. And then…”

Xu Ming explained everything to Shi Xin in detail.

After listening, Shi Xin nodded. “Given the circumstances, this seems to be the only way forward.”

Xu Ming sighed. “That’s how it is.”

“And what are your plans, Benefactor Xu?” Shi Xin asked.

Xu Ming shook his head. “I’m not sure myself. She said she’s going to the Northern Wastelands, but she won’t let me go with her. Even if I insist, it’s not going to happen.”

As he spoke, Xu Ming lifted his head to gaze at the sky.

“But I also understand that in this world, without cultivation, you’re powerless.” Xu Ming shook his head again.

“It sounds like you have somewhere in mind to go,” Shi Xin remarked, tilting her head slightly to look at him.

“There’s something I’ve been carrying with me, a problem I haven’t been able to resolve. I’ve been putting it off, but now… it feels like the right time,” Xu Ming said with a sigh.

“After the trip to the Dragon Palace, I plan to head west—to the Western Regions—to meet someone.”